| So you want to study for a law degree take up a | | | | they may be nominated and appointed as magistrates |
| career as an attorney. Many people have | | | | and judges. Others may opt for a career in the |
| misconceptions on what the legal profession is all | | | | academia becoming legal lecturers and educators. |
| about. Contrary to what you watch on TV and movies | | | | Some attorneys also work in large corporations and |
| or from newspaper reports, attorneys do most of their | | | | become legal advisors under employment. |
| work in offices and legal libraries instead of just | | | | It was reported that attorneys in USA held about |
| socking out exciting legal cases in courtrooms. They | | | | 730,000 jobs in 2004. About 3 out of 4 attorneys |
| meet clients in homes, offices, hospitals or even in | | | | practiced privately, either as partners of law firms or in |
| prisons. So the career of a lawyer may not be as | | | | their own solo practices. Most salaried lawyers held |
| glamorous as what is commonly being portrayed or | | | | positions in the government civil service or with big |
| thought to be. | | | | corporations. |
| Attorneys in private practices usually work long and | | | | Government attorneys many different government |
| irregular hours while conducting research, meeting and | | | | agencies, especially so in the departments of justice, |
| entertaining clients, or preparing legal papers during | | | | treasury, and defense. Many salaried attorneyss are |
| non-office hours. It is a fact that most successful | | | | also employed as house counsel by public utilities, |
| attorneys often work long grueling hours and this is | | | | banks, insurance companies, real estate agencies and |
| one of the most common reasons why many lawyers | | | | other commercial businesses. |
| continue to drop out of the legal profession and | | | | Employment of attorneys is expected to grow as a |
| embark other careers. They may face particularly | | | | result population and economic growth. There is also |
| heavy pressure when a case is being brought up for | | | | an increasing demand for lawyers and attorneys in |
| trial and they must be continuously educated on the | | | | health care, intellectual property, venture capital, |
| latest laws, conventions and judicial decisions. | | | | antitrust and environmental legal issues. However, |
| Although a attorney's work usually is non seasonal, | | | | competition for lawyers though is expected to be |
| there are exceptions such as for the tax lawyers and | | | | fierce because of the large number of law graduates |
| other law specialists. | | | | graduating from universities, colleges and law schools |
| Newly hired attorneys usually start as law associates | | | | every year. |
| and work with more senior and experienced lawyers. | | | | Therefore, if you want to have a career as an |
| After several years of gaining experience and | | | | attorney, do not think of the legal profession as a |
| responsibilities, some attorneys are admitted to | | | | glamorous one. Being a successful legal eagle requires |
| partnership in law firms or they may set up their own | | | | a lot of hard work and skills, just like in any other noble |
| law firms. | | | | profession. |
| As attorneys get more experienced and reputable, | | | | |